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Uninsured drivers adding €35 to every car policy in Ireland

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By John Healy of Healy Insurances

The number of uninsured cars on Irish roads continues to grow.

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The Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) carried out new research that showed one in every 12 vehicles was driving without insurance in 2022.

According to MIBI, there are now more than 32,000 additional uninsured vehicles on Irish roads since 2020.

Under Irish law, the penalties for vehicles found without valid insurance include An Garda Síochána having the power to seize the vehicle on the spot, as well as other significant penalties such as an automatic court appearance, five penalty points and a substantial fine.

MIBI, a not for profit organisation established to compensate victims of road traffic accidents caused by uninsured and unidentified vehicles, undertook this research by contrasting the number of private motor vehicle owners paying motor taxes with the number of vehicles who have active insurance policies.

“Law abiding motorists won’t be happy to see these figures and to look at the growing trend of uninsured driving," David Fitzgerald, CEO of the MIBI, said.

"If the current trend were to continue then we are likely to pass 200,000 uninsured vehicles in the next 12 – 18 months unless significant action is taken.”

So what can be done to tackle this issue?

Well the Irish Motor Insurance Database (IMID) is on the horizon for many years. The data should allow An Garda Síochána to identify uninsured drivers using their ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) device without having to leave their patrol car.

The legislation is still working its way through the Oireachtas.

According to MIBI, honest motorists are paying for the victims of people driving without insurance. It is estimated that approximately €35 of each motor insurance policy in the State is paying for uninsured drivers.
Granted the database is a huge piece of work, but it is long overdue at this stage.

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Community College TY students become qualified baristas

School Dayz Transition Year students at Killarney Community College spent last Tuesday learning the skills to become baristas. They completed a full-day training course and are now qualified to make […]

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School Dayz

Transition Year students at Killarney Community College spent last Tuesday learning the skills to become baristas.

They completed a full-day training course and are now qualified to make coffee, which could make them very employable in local cafes and restaurants this summer.
Their teachers, who are described as the school’s “resident coffee experts,” were impressed with the students’ hard work and enjoyed the lattes, cappuccinos, and Americanos the students made throughout the day.
In addition to their barista training, the TY students also took a trip to Mallow. There, they learned about the rules of the road, practiced the driver theory test, and many got behind the wheel of a car for the first time. They also learned about the dangers of speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

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Rising stars Amano and Lillie Foley to share stage in ANAM

Two of Killarney’s rising musical talents, Amano and Lillie Foley, are set to perform their first ever joint headline concert at the ANAM Cultural Centre. Singer-songwriter and sean nós singer […]

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Two of Killarney’s rising musical talents, Amano and Lillie Foley, are set to perform their first ever joint headline concert at the ANAM Cultural Centre.

Singer-songwriter and sean nós singer Amano will bring her ‘Mythilligocial Meitheal Tour’ home for a special live performance of both her contemporary and traditional music.

Joining her on the night is local rising star Lillie Foley, making it a special event to celebrate two young Killarney songwriters making their mark on the Irish music scene. The event is supported by Kerry County Council Arts Office.

Amano, described by Hot Press in 2024 as an “idiosyncratic talent” is comfortable performing in both English and Irish, draws influences from alt-folk, R&B, and traditional sean-nós singing.

Her project THREAD was nominated for Irish language Album and Song of the year at the Gradaim Nós in 2024.

Her recent singles, ‘Burn’ and ‘The Birthing House’, have received airplay on RTÉ Radio 1, Radio Kerry, and Raidió na Life.

Lillie Foley, a 22-year-old singer who recently graduated from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance with a BA in Voice, has released two debut singles in 2025, ‘Someday’ and ‘That’s Life’, which blend pop, soul, and folk genres.

The event is supported by Kerry County Council Arts Office.

The concert will take place on May 23, at the ANAM Cultural Centre in Killarney, starting at 7:00pm. Tickets are available from €15 plus a booking fee on Ticketpass.org.

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